A cultural exchange event focused on Qianhe Women's Spirit was held in Jiande, Zhejiang, on Nov 30. Over 20 international students from ten countries visited Qianhe village to immerse themselves in the power of the spirit of "Women hold up half the sky".

Local women in Qianhe village broke with old customs in the 1950s, engaged in agricultural production, and embodied the spirit of "self-reliance, courage, unity, and hard work". At the Education Base of Qianhe Women's Spirit, students learned about the origins and legacy of this empowering spirit.

“I knew about gender equality, but this is the first time I’ve learned about the spirit of Qianhe women. They have shown the world the power of women,” said an Indonesian student, moved by the experience. She left a message on a creative postcard saying, “Let’s lift up half the sky together.”

During the exchange, Wang Lina, Party Secretary of Qianhe village, and Hong Wenya, a young entrepreneur from Qianhe, shared their insights.

A Tajikistani student expressed her admiration for the bold choices made by women here in 1955, saying, “The women of Qianhe set a great example for all women, and I hope the women in my country can learn from this spirit”. A Russian student was also inspired by how the spirit "united all women", making her more confident and learning valuable life lessons from Qianhe women.

The students also participated in traditional cultural activities, including learning to write “Women hold up half the sky” with a brush, velvet flower making, and tofu grinding. Many took photos and videos to share on their social media platforms, further experiencing Chinese culture.

Reporter: Wang Luyi

Correspondent: Zhu Yina

Editor: Zhong Xinyi

Intern: Hu Jiani